Lifestyles of the Past |
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Ras Al Khaimah within its territory combines coast, the fertile agricultural plains (oasis), the desert and the mountains. Each of these environments has given rise to different lifestyles. Interestingly, the tribes of Ras Al Khaimah seasonally travelled between these geographical zones. These migrations occurred twice a year, during seasonal changes. The reasons for these migrations were based on the availability of the natural resources, such as water and food products, and on opportunities to generate income.
The inhabitants of the coastal strip were largely involved in fishing, pearling and handicrafts. During the summer, men of various tribes joined pearling expeditions and departed into the sea for a period of around 100 days. The people also derived their living from overseas trade. Those who did not participate in the summer pearling expeditions often migrated to oases to harvest the date palms. Women who stayed behind were responsible for looking after the palm groves, vegetable gardens and animals. Their gardens were largely supported by the network of water irrigation called falaj.
The mountains were occupied throughout the winter. People moved there to profit from the rain fed agriculture. They cultivated barley, wheat and enner on the pre-levelled terraces. They also herded goats. The mountain inhabitants were restricted to the winter months only, as during the hot time, water was no longer available in the higher parts. In the summer months, the mountain people moved down to the wadis, where they also cultivated crops and date palms. They used subterranean water supplies and delved deep for the water to irrigate their farms. Additionally, they often participated in pearl diving trips that attracted people of different tribes and professions.
The people who lived on the edge of the desert were the Bedouins. They were mainly semi-nomads called Fellahin. During the rainy winter seasons they stayed in the desert and in the summer months they moved closer to the coast. They mostly herded goats and sheep; and embraced simple farming, although it was a difficult task. The most important animal for them was the camel, which served as a means of transportation, and provided milk and meat. Many Bedouins, attracted by the pearling industry and a chance for better life, permanently settled down nearer the coast. |
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